Cognitive Robotics and Complex Self-Organising Systems (SwarmLab)

In the real world, natural self-organising systems like those mentioned above tend to outperform artificially designed machines. Interdisciplinary research within DKE SwarmLab aims to study self-organising systems to learn their underlying mechanisms. Exploiting this knowledge will allow us to build better artificial intelligent systems that emerge through self-organisation.

Through DKE SwarmLab, DKE holds a chair in the steering committee of the FieldLab Robotics: a consortium of robotics and logistics companies in Limburg. SwarmLab and its partners attracted over 1.5 million euros in research funding since 2015.

One of the most fascinating applications of complex self-organizing systems are cognitive robots – artificial machines that gain an understanding of their complex surroundings and of the other intelligent entities that surround them. Cognitive robots are capable of planning actions, correctly predicting the results of those actions, executing them, and adapting their behaviour based on their observations. At DKE SwarmLab we focus on the creation of assistive systems – supporting humans in their daily and professional life.

SwarmLab co-develops software and hardware for cognitive robots and complex self-organizing artificial intelligence. Currently running projects involve:
 

• Intelligent game and assessment devices with AI that assesses well-being, cognitive, physical, and social capabilities of children and elderly.
• Quadcopters capable of autonomously mapping, searching, and navigating in complex environments.
• Self-organization among autonomous agents in nautical processes in modern seaports.
• Smart orthotic devices.
• Advanced brain-robot interfaces.
• EDMO – Educational Modular Robot for teaching and exploring robotics, AI, and data science with students and children.